Method for rough forging annular workpieces



Jan. 18, 1966 R. K. HILDEBRANDT ET AL 3,229,493

METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 30, 19625 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1

INVENTORS RAYMOND K. HILDEBRANDT WALLACE E. SHISSLER, JR.

OTTO HAMMON BERNARD J. KLAVERKAMP 8) ERIC MlCHELSON AGENT Jan. 18, 1966K. ng- N ET AL 3,229,493

METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 50, 19623 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TORS RAYMOND K. HILDEBRANDT WALLACE E. SHISSLER,JR. OTTO HAMMON BERNARD J. KLAVERKAMP Ease wcunsou AGENT 3 Sheets-Sheet5 1966 R. K. HILDEBRANDT ETAL METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULARWQRKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 30, 1962 w m H mm m BL V RES A O S L TmHK N SW J w M D KE R EH A NC N 0A R O E mmfi B RWO vm v ON kw I! I I! NN... k Wm lllflvxlltillia lati i M J m I an m m m Q Q -l; km lllj lllfiII: V H m X m liflfi If R M X x x N F 5n y Em MICHELSON AGENT UnitedStates Patent 3,229,493 METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECESRaymond K. Hildebrandt and Wallace E. Shissler, In, Lewiston, Pa., OttoHammon, Scotch Plains, N.J., and Bernard J. Klaverkamp, Wallingford,Pa., assignors to Baldwin Lima Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application .l'an. 30, 1962, Ser.No. 169,839, now Patent No. 3,177,696, dated Apr. 13, 1965. Divided andthis application Dec. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 427,204

2 Claims. (Cl. 72-377) The present application is a division of ourcopending application Serial No. 169,839, filed January 30, 1962, nowUS. Patent No. 3,177,696 issued April 13, 1965.

This invention relates to an improved method of forging large, heavymetal rings and the like, and more particularly to a novel method ofrough forging large annular workpieces by means of progressive beakingand edging operations.

In the production of large ring-like members, a work blank is initiallyrough forged and is then finished by means of a rolling operation.Generally speaking, the rough forging operation includes a series ofbeaking and edging steps. In the beaking steps the wall of the annularworkpiece is subjected to working forces which tend to reduce thethickness thereof in the radial direction, while in the edging steps theworkpiece wall is subjected to working forces which tend to reduce theaxial dimension thereof. The most common technique for carrying out therough forging operation includes the use of a hammer which by successiveblows is made to apply the desired radial and axial working forces tothe work material. In this type of operation each work blank is usuallymanually manipulated with the result that a relatively large labor crewis required, and the size and/ or weight of the workpiece which may beaccommodated is rather limited. Further, the manual work handlingoperations necessarily involved here are apt to be slow and this factorwill limit the number of hot forming steps which may be appropriatelyperformed in one heat.

The principal object of the instant invention is to provide an improvedmethod for significantly increasing the speed, capacity and efficiencyof a ring forging operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for rough forginglarge annular work blanks, whereby the beaking and edging steps areperformed in a novel manner.

Various other objects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become apparent as the de scription proceeds.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention by way of example.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic sketches indicating the nature of oneform of the instant method;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational View in partial section and shows theconstruction of the instant ring forming press;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken partly in section on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, butshown on a somewhat larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of thevertical ram retracting mechanism shown in FIG. 3.

One method according to the invention will be described in connectionwith the diagrammatic sketches of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, an annularwork blank is supported in a horizontal position on its lower side byplacing it on a horizontal table 11 that is rotatably mounted on themachine base 12, the weight of the blank being uniformly distributedover its lower axial and surface. The work blank is further radiallysupported by an axially movable mandrel 13. When thus supported,

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an arcuate portion 10a of the blank is subjected to a vertical edgingforce by the action of a ram 14, and a radial beaking force by theaction of a ram 15. The application of beaking and edging forces may bein any desired sequence; for example, the beaking and edging forces maybe applied alternately or simultaneously. Table 11 serves to rotate thework blank so that successive arcuate portions of the annular blank areprogressively brought to and forged at the work station. Rams 14 and 15are actuated each time another portion of the blank is in position to beformed and thus a series of successive forging forces are applied to theworkpiece. The rotation or feeding movement of the blank is carried outin predetermined timed relation to the application of the beaking andedging forces and may be continuous or intermittent. As the annularblank or ring 10 is thus progressively rough forged, the ring walls areprogressively reduced and squared up preparatory for the subsequent rollfinishing operation; the beaking steps tending to reduce the wallthickness in the radial direction, and the edging steps tending toreduce the axial dimension of the blank.

Using the described technique, no manual manipulation of the work isrequired during forging and workpieces up to several feet in diameterand weighing several tons may be readily handled in an eflicient manner.Because of the inherent characteristics of the instant method, only asmall labor crew will be required for a given work program and thecontrolled coordination between the feeding and working of the blankmaterial will speed up the overall operations and will enable more stepsto be performed in one heat, This latter factor is particularlysignificant when dealing with work alloys having a narrow permissibletemperature range for forging operations.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the structural nature of a forging press forcarrying out a method according to the invention will now be described,together with a somewhat modified form of the instant method. The presscomprises a base 20 to which are secured a pair of main side frames 21and 22, the upper portions of said side frames being mutually securedtogether by means of a bridge member 23. Rotatably mounted on the base20 is a horizontally disposed work supporting table 24 having a tubularhub portion 25 that extends downwardly through an aperture in base 20and has secured to the lower end thereof a worm wheel 26 that is adaptedto be rotatably driven by a worm member 27. A bushing 28 is mounted inthe upper portion of central opening 25a in table 24 and laterallysupports and guides an axially movable, cylindrical mandrel 30, thetable and mandrel having a common axis X-X. Mandrel 30 is adapted toextend upwardly from table 24 in cantilever fashion and is connected atits lower end to the operating element 31 of a hydraulic cylinder 32 soas to be power actuated between the operative upper, work supportingposition shown in FIG. 3 and an inoperative retracted position whereinthe upper end of the mandrel is flush with or below the upper surface oftable 24. Guide bushing 28 may be replaced by other bushings of the sameouter dimensions but of different internal diameters to accommodatemandrels of selected sizes.

A horizontally disposed beaking ram 33 is provided which extends axiallythrough a suitable aperture in side frame 21 and is connected at itsinner end to a cross head 34 supporting a forming tool 35, the workengaging surface of which is shown straight in FIGS. 3 and 4 but, ifdesired, may be concave as indicated in the diagrammatic FIG. 1. Theother end of ram 33 is connected to the operating element 36 of a mainhorizontal fluidoperated, preferably hydraulic cylinder 37. Cylinder 37is operatively secured to a stationary head 40 that is supported andfixedly mounted on the machine frame by means of a base extension 41,FIG. 3, and a pair of tie rods 42 and 43, FIG, 4. A pair of ramretracting hydraulic cylinders 44 and 45 mounted in head 40 serve tooperate piston rods 46 and 47 which extend through suitable apertures inside frame 21 and operatively con nect the stationary head 40 and themovable cross head 34. As will be apparent, the horizontal beaking ram33 and the tool 35 may be advanced through a forward working stroke bythe main horizontal hydraulic cylinder 37 and may be retracted by thecylinders 44 and 45.

A vertically disposed edging ram 50, FIG. 3, the central axis of whichcoincides with the axis XX of table 24 and mandrel 30, is bifurcated atits lower portion in that two symmetrically arranged prongs 50a andFIGS. 3 and 4, extend downwardly toward table 24. It should be notedthat the mechanism differs in this respect from that shown in thediagrammatic FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the edging ram 14 is an undividedmember extending along a vertical plane through the axis of the beakingram and the axis XX, the arm 14 pointing downwardly toward that portionof the table which is disposed between the beaking tool and mandrel. Asdistinct therefrom, the prongs 50a, 50b are adapted to straddle mandrel30 and extend along a vertical plane transverse to the vertical planethrough the axis of beaking ram 33. Each of the prongs 56a, 50b isequipped at its lower end with a forming tool 51, one of which is shownin FIG. 3. The upper end of ram 50 is attached to a horizontal crosshead 52 whose sides are slidably guided on the vertical ways 53 and 54of the respective side frames 21 and 22. Cross head 52 is connected tothe operating element 55 of a main vertical fluid-operated, preferablyhydraulic cylinder 56, the latter being mounted in the bridge member 23which is secured between the machine side frames 21, 22. AS the tools 51are adapted to engage a work blank at oppositely disposed areas in asubstantially balanced way, the forces applied to cross head 52 andoperating element 55 will be generally balanced and the occurrence ofunilateral eccentric forces will thus be minimized.

A pair of hydraulic return or retracting cylinders 60 and 61, aremounted on bridge member 23. Operable in each cylinder is a return ram62 and each of these rams is secured to an auxiliary cross head 63 whichthrough a pair of tie rods 64, 65, FIGS. 3 and 5, is connected to crosshead 52; the tie rods extending through suitable apertures in bridgemember 23. As will be apparent, the vertical edging ram 50 and its tools51 may be advanced through a downward working stroke by the mainvertical hydraulic cylinder 56 and may be retracted by the cylinders 69and 61.

Integral with, or attached to the lower end of, cylinder 61 is anadditional hydraulic cylinder 66 having a piston rod 67 connected to ahorizontally disposed mandrel supporting arm or bar 70. The outer end ofbar 70 is adapted to bear against side frame 22 and is slidably guidedin ways 71, FIG. 4, formed on the inner surface of the side frame. Theinner end of bar 70 has secured thereto an abutment block 72 that iscontoured on its inner concave surface 73 so as to conform to thecylindrical shape of the upper, cantilever end of mandrel 30 and toengage and laterally support this end of the mandrel when the latter isin its upper operative position as shown in FIG. 3. To accommodateworkpieces of greater or smaller thickness in the axial direction, theposition of support bar 70 is adjustable by means of cylinder 66-.Abutment block 72 is interchangeable with other blocks, the concavesurfaces 73 of which fit mandrels of selected diameters.

At the start of the operation of the press according to FIGS. 3 to 5,the beaking ram 33 and the edging ram 50 are retracted, mandrel 30 iswithdrawn to its inoperative lower position, and the mandrel support armor bar 70 is moved by means of cylinder 66 to a predetermined level suchas shown in FIG. 3. The working area of the press is thus cleared forreceiving a heavy blank indicated in phantom at 76 in FIG. 3, which isdeposited on the rotatable work table 24 so as to surround the centralaperture of guide bushing 28. The predetermined position of bar providesfor ample space between the bar and blank 76 so that the latter may bemoved freely during loading and subsequently the forged ring may readilybe removed from the press. After loading, the mandrel is advanced orelevated to its operative FIG. 3 position where it is supported by block72 and bar 7 0. Thereafter, the beaking and edging rams 33, 50 areeither alternately or simultaneously advanced and retracted while thefeeding or indexing table 24 is intermittently rotatably driven so as tothereby progressively free forge successive arcuate portions of theannular work blank. Edging forces are applied to oppositely disposedareas of the workpiece by means of the prongs 59a, 50b and tools 51 in asubstantially balanced way. As pointed out in connection with the methodaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sequence of execution of beaking andedging strokes may be varied as desired and the slow rotary motion oftable 24 caused by rotation of worm member 27 may be continuous, insteadof intermittent, if preferred. When the diameter of the workpieceincreases, it may partly be supported on the surface area 78 of base 20.Rolls (not shown) may be embedded in base 20 at 78 to reduce friction.After the entire periphery of the annular blank has been progressivelyfree forged, rams 33 and 50 are retracted, as is the mandrel 30,whereafter the forged ring may be readily unloaded from the press and anew workpiece of similar initial size may be placed on table 24preparatory to an other beaking and edging operation.

If the size of the next blank differs substantially from that of thepreceding workpiece, the position of bar 70 is adjusted accordingly bymeans of cylinder 66. For example, the bar may be raised somewhat tofacilitate the loading and unloading of a blank of greater thickness inthe axial direction, or the bar may be lowered in the case of a blank ofsmaller axial thickness to limit the unsupported length of the mandrelwhile still providing ample space for handling the workpiece. Bushing28, mandrel 30 and block 72 will be changed when required by thecharacteristics of the blanks to be treated.

While certain specific examples have been described and shown in detailto illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, itwill be understood that various modifications and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of forging an annular workpiece, comprising the steps of (a)placing said annular workpiece in a substantially horizontal positionand supporting its lower side along a generally horizontal plane,

(b) progressively rotating the horizontally disposed workpiece,

(c) progressively edging successive sections of said workpiece bysuccessively applying substantially balanced forging forcessimultaneously to spaced portions of the upper side of the horizontallydisposed workpiece, and

(d) progressively beaking successive sections of the workpiece byapplying successive forging forces to radially outer surface portions ofsaid workpiece while supporting radially inner surface portions thereofand continuing to support said lower side of the workpiece,

(e) the rotation of said workpiece being performed in timed relation tothe application of said beaking and edging forces.

2. A method of rough forging a large annular workpiece, comprising thesteps of (a) placing said workpiece in a generally horizontal positionand supporting it in the axial direction at its lower side,

(b) laterally supporting the radially inner surface of an arcuateportion of said workpiece,

(c) applying a beaking force to the radially outer surface of saidarcuate portion of the workpiece, whereby the radial dimension of thewall of said workpiece portion is decreased,

(d) applying substantially balanced edging forces to the upper side ofthe horizontally disposed workpiece simultaneously at opposite areasthereof, whereby the axial dimension of the wall of the workpiece isdecreased in said areas,

(e) intermittently rotating said horizontally disposed workpiece, and

(f) repeating the application of said beaking and edging forces in timedrelation to said intermittent rotation so that successive arcuateportions and areas of said annular workpiece will be progressivelyforged.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 186,999 2/1877French 72-400 330,875 11/ 1885 Collins 72404 1,493,155 5/ 1924 Humrnel72306 1,943,089 1/1934 Rosenberg 7227 CHARLES W. LANHAM, PrimaryExaminer.

R. J. HERBST, Asst. Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No:3,229,493 January 18, 1966 Raymond K Hildebrandt et al It is herebycertified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiringcorrection and that the said Letters Patent should read as correctedbelow.

Column 1, lines 48 and 49, after "manner" insert as a new paragraph Afurther object of the invention is to provide an improved method forperforming an edging operation at two opposite areas of a workpiece in abalanced manner. line 70, for and" read end Signed and sealed this 10thday of January 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A METHOD OF FORGING AN ANNULAR WORKPIECE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A)PLACING SAID ANNULAR WORKPIECE IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITIONAND SUPPORTING ITS LOWER SIDE ALONG A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, (B)PROGRESSIVELY ROTATING THE HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED WORKPIECE, (C)PROGRESSIVELY EDGING SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF SAID WORKPIECE BYSUCCESSIVELY APPLYING SUBSTANTIALLY BALANCED FORGING FORCESSIMULTANEOUSLY TO SPACED PORTIONS OF THE UPPER SIDE OF THE HORIZONTALLYDISPOSED WORKPIEVE, AND